Nine months ago, three Vietnamese and three American soldiers set up an orphanage a short distance from Cam Ranh Bay to take care of a few Vietnamese children who had lost their parents in the fighting. Today three U.S. soldiers, including Ron Zbinden from Great Falls, a Catholic nun and two 13-year-old Vietnamese girls are struggling day by day to care for more than 80 children ranging in age from one month to 13 years. “We’re getting some local support, but very little,” says George Christianson, one of the Army men working at the orphanage. “Maybe we can get some support from the Montana people.” According to Zbinden, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Zbinden, 1005 12 St. NW, the orphanage does not need money. Instead, they want such things as baby bottles, instant foods, all types of clothing and of course medical supplies. “I think this type of thing is doing the most good for this country,” said Zbinden in a tape received by his parents.

If the red, blue, yellow and white rug on the left of the entrance to the Home Arts section at the State Fair reminds you of Eddy’s bread wrappers, it’s because Bessie Fedge of 11 10th St. NW crocheted the six-foot rug out of just that. Judges of Home Arts exhibits have had to choose from among articles of unprecedented originality and fine craftsmanship this year. Montana homemakers have produced a plethora of foods, clothing and crafts for the Fair. In most departments there are 500 more entries than last year because home demonstration clubs have vied with each other to see how many entries they could produce.

“Montana Needs George,” “Let George Do It,” and “Welcome, You-All” were the signs carried by Wallace supporters when they met the Alabama governor, George Wallace, at the Great Falls International Airport Friday afternoon. Among the 150-200 persons at the airport, including a great Falls police officer stationed on the roof of Victor’s, was one lone dissenter with a sign reading “Democracy Not Demagoguery” on one side and “George Wallace, Examine Your Conscience” on the reverse side. Wallace spent some time chatting along the airport’s cyclone fence with Mrs. George Jaap, 3223 14th Ave. South, and Mrs. Fred W. Hall, 2000 5th Ave. South. The women told him they’d been born in Alabama but that as soon as they’d gotten shoes, they’d run away. Out at the fairgrounds as Wallace was leaving, one cowboy-hatted Montanan said to two others, “Got a good firm handshake, hasn’t he?” “Yes, he has,” one of them replied as they sized up the 5-foot, 7-inch candidate for president.

Sears, Roebuck & Co., 400 Central Ave., Wednesday announced significant plans for expansion in downtown Great Falls. The firm is taking over space next door to the east, vacated nearly two years ago by another store, and expanding its furniture and carpet departments. The furniture department will be expanded to three times its present size, and the carpet department is being doubled, according to Rex Rambo, Sears’ assistant manager. Both departments are being moved into the space at 410 Central. Space released in the main store by this move will be used to expand the stereo and television departments.

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Front page of the Great Falls Daily Tribune on Monday, July 29, 1918.(Photo: Tribune archives)

100 Years Ago

From the Tribune week of July 29, 1918

Great Falls people, as a part of their Sunday thought and study, can take the following list and ascertain how they may help the soldier boys who have gone to the front but have property in the city that they want to dispose of. These all are bargains, and those who take them for cash are getting value received for themselves and are doing a patriotic duty in aiding the boy at the front. The list of articles is as follows: Holstein-Fresian bull, inquire 9597; Soldier leaving wants to sell household furniture. Call at 610 Fifth St. South. Furniture includes piano worth $450; Ford roadster in good condition, 1916 model; Buick-Six roadster in good shape, 1917 model, wire wheels, traveled less than 2,000 miles; Royal typewriter almost new and sold at a bargain; Grocery and confection store, 916 Eighth Ave. North.

That he heard an airplane pass over the city at an early hour last night was the report made to the police by L.P. Dougall of 115 10th St. South. Mr. Dougall phoned to the station that while he and his wife were standing at the gate in front of their residence about 10:15 p.m., an airplane passed over the city in a southerly direction, flying at a high rate of speed. He said he is positive that it was an air machine for the reason that he has worked with them and has seen a great many in action. He states that he could hear it plainly. No other reports of the passing of a plane were received by the police.

HELENA — Placards have been posted in prominent public places in Helena warning the public that “The Spy Never Sleeps.” The placard reads, “Americans, never forget that we are at war, and the enemy is listening. Keep your own counsel, and say little and write less on military affairs, number, location and movement of troops, etc. Lives of our soldiers are at stake. Report promptly by letter any suspicious or disloyal act to P.O. Box 967, Butte, Montana, explaining the full circumstances. Observe, listen, report.”

HAVRE — Change of name of a Havre church has just been voted by the membership. The church, which has heretofore been known as the Norwegian Lutheran, will hereafter be referred to as the First Lutheran Church of Havre. From now on the services will be conducted for the greater part in English.

HELENA — State Fuel Administrator M.H. Gerry, Jr., has made an order for lightless nights in all Montana towns whose power is not derived from hydro-electric plants. The order provides street illumination must not begin before sunset nor continue after sunrise; cluster lights shall be eliminated except to the amount needed for public safety and display window lights are prohibited from sunrise to sunset and entirely prohibited Mondays and Tuesdays.